Memphis Grizzlies: Has Mike Conley Officially Reached Elite Status?

Apr 22, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) lays the ball up against San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the second half in game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Memphis Grizzlies defeated the San Antonio Spurs 110-108 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 22, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) lays the ball up against San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the second half in game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Memphis Grizzlies defeated the San Antonio Spurs 110-108 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
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Apr 22, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) lays the ball up against San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the second half in game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Memphis Grizzlies defeated the San Antonio Spurs 110-108 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 22, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) lays the ball up against San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the second half in game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Memphis Grizzlies defeated the San Antonio Spurs 110-108 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

In this new feature, two writers will debate their takes on the Memphis Grizzlies. This week, Jake Finnen argues that Mike Conley has been all playoff hype.

In sports, there are a lot of debates. As the Beale Street Bears were debating some Grizz-related topic in our Slack app, someone said that we should debate for posts. So here we are! This week, we’ll debate something that should get every Memphis Grizzlies fan fired up: the elite status of Mike Conley.

I, personally, consider him a tier off from the elite point guards (Russ, Curry, CP3, Wall, IT, Kyrie, Dame). One season and postseason shouldn’t put him in that tier, especially since this was the first year he really took over as a “scorer.” Even then, it’s not at the level of some of these other guys.

Personally, I consider him to be an average starting point guard, which probably triggers every single of you that are reading this.

So, your beloved site expert, Parker Fleming, decided to take a stand for Mike Conley and all of Grizz Nation to argue that Conley has reached that level.